Anton Arensky: Violinkonzert op.54 on CD

Russische Romantik
Die siebte Folge der »Romantischen Violinkonzerte« präsentiert zwei Meisterwerke von Komponisten, die eng mit dem Namen Peter Tschaikowsky verbunden sind: Anton Arensky (1861–1906) und Sergei Taneyev (1856–1915). Arenskys einsätziges Violinkonzert ist ein schönes Beispiel für die Blüte der russischen Nationalromantik und erinnert in der Melodieführung und in den herrlich kontrastreichen musikalischen Charakteren an das Vorbild Tschaikowsky. Taneyevs Suite de concert vereint in sich mehrere Stile: Im Aufbau orientiert sie sich am Typus der barocken Suite mit ihren verschiedenen Tanzsätzen, musikalisch hingegen scheinen die Romantik eines Schumann und wiederum das Vorbild Tschaikowsky durch.

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This disc juxtaposes two significant Russian works for violin and orchestra, each written by a composer with a close relationship to Tchaikovsky, and each dedicated to the great violinist and pedagogue Leopold Auer. These two concertos are both formidable display pieces, designed to show off Auer's transcendental technique. Ilya Gringolts, acclaimed as one of the great young violin virtuosos of today and lauded for his debut recording on Hyperion, dazzles in this repertoire, ably supported by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under Ilan Volkov.

Arensky's Violin Concerto is an original single-movement work, cast in contrasting sections. It is a model of the flowering of Russian romantic nationalism—Tchaikovsky's influence on his friend is pleasingly evident—as is Arensky's gift for melody and delightful contrasts of musical character. Taneyev's much larger Suite de concert is a synthesis of different styles: it looks back to the Baroque suite with its different dance movements, the Märchen movement suggesting the high Romanticism of Schumann and the Theme and Variations a homage to Tchaikovsky. Particularly striking is the finale: an energetic and vivacious Tarantella, almost relentless in its onrushing rhythm. As the finale proceeds the dance becomes more frenetic, driving to a viscerally exciting conclusion that must have brought the house down in live performances.

Rezensionen

»These two products of Russia's Silver Age go well together on disc … Ilya Gringolts is a fine advocate for both works, combining brilliance and idiomatic sensitivity, and enjoying fine support from Volkov and the BBC Scottish … In short, another superbly conceived and truthfully recorded addition to Hyperion's Romantic Violin Concerto series« (Gramophone)

»Gringolts« fluency, virtuosity and lyrical intensity have been much and rightly admired and this record I'm almost tempted to say is his best yet. He is expertly and sensitively partnered by Ilan Volkov and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra' (BBC Music Magazine)

»The Arensky is a delicious and unfairly neglected confection … I recommend it to anyone who loves the violin Concerto of Tchaikovsky … It's lots of fun, and Gringolts dispatches the tricky passages with great aplomb« (Mail on Sunday)

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